AND THE BRIDE WORE PANTS . . .

Reinaldo AlverezNo matter how simple or paired down a gown can get, some women just can’t get into wearing a dress even on their wedding day. For this reason, pantsuits are becoming a stylish alternative. Pant legs can vary from slim cigarette widths to wide culotte cuts.

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Jacket styles are key to characterizing your suit. Do you want the more open and romantic look of a 3/4 length coat or do you feel more comfortable in a man-tailored jacket? Below are some of your options.

JACKET STYLESTailored Jacket-The classic. Either single or double-breasted, the tailored jacket ends just below the derriere and can have a notched or shawl lapel or no lapel at all.

Dressmaker Jacket-Shorter than the tailored jacket, this cut ends at the hip line and can be single or double-breasted. Like the tailored jacket, it has the same collar treatments. Tailoring usually has softer lines.Nehru, Mandarin or Cossack Jacket—All are ethnic inspired. All have high turtleneck style collar. Typically tunic-length, each has its own ethnicity distinguished by trim or the fabric used to create it. For instance, Mandarin jackets are usually made out of brocade. The Cossack is made out of any type wool and has a row of trim around the collar, extending down the side front of the jacket.Three-Quarter Length Jacket-Longer than the tailored jacket, this cut is usually worn over a straight or A-line style skirt. We're seeing more lately though paired with pants.Eisenhower-Popularized by the General during WWII, this jacket crops at the waist and is typically double breasted. Eisenhower jackets had a revival period during the mid-70s and have continued to be a fashionable alternative. Usually wore with high waisted stove-pipe pants.Bolero-A shorter jacket that crops above the waistline. Has curved front corners and no buttons

Christina CreationsChristina CreationsPUTTING IT ALL TOGETHERAccessorizing your pantsuit with a bridal touch is one of the ways you can customize it for a wedding. Everyday buttons on a jacket for instance can be replaced with fabric covered or jeweled ones. Your jacket can also have couture techniques such as hand-bound buttonholes. Shorter veils like cages or poufs of netting go great with pantsuits. If you’re not the veil type, consider a hat or headpiece that compliments. Hats and suits go together, especially a hat with some kind of veiling over the eyes. It takes the place of a blusher and offers a certain sophistication to being veiled rather than that symbolic ‘being given away’ business.

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MY FAVORITE ERA FOR LITTLE GIRL'S DRESSES MAY JUST BE BACK

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Pictured above and below are kiddie icons of the 1930s, Shirley Temple and the Royal Princesses of England, Elizabeth and Margaret Rose. Back then the press doted on Shirley with her dimples and blonde ringlets. She's the only kid I ever knew who got away with tap dancing across a banquet table and on top of a grand piano (see Curly Top 1934). Her dresses were adorable, ruffly little things just covering her bottom with matching panties.

sourceI've finally a found a kid's source devoted to the simplicity and comfort of 1930s kids frocks. If you love the styles below, check out Grammie's Attic. The owner recalls one grammie "Fondly remembered dressing her own daughter in delicate little embroidered diaper shirts, no longer available in retail stores. I finally tracked down a dozen of them, along with some sweet little dresses, from an estate sale. Worn in the 1930s, they had been carefully laid away in grammie's attic to await future generations.I've always loved fine linens and was thoroughly smitten by these handmade garments and their lovely fabrics, exquisite embroidery, and careful craftsmanship. I continued to collect and restore these little treasures, adding bibs, bonnets, and baby linens, until my new hobby evolved into this web store. I'm very excited to see a whole new generation of babies wearing these special things! I love to see babies dressed like babies instead of mini-adults."

sourceRetro-inspired, these little frocks breathe. The thing I like most about this web store is the fabrics. I don't like watching an uncomfortable child pulling and tugging at tight or heavy clothes with the scratchy inner structures like crinoline and weighty taffeta linings. Grammie's Attic has simple styles in fabrics like silk, linen and cotton.

The Shirley Temple Sailor Dress

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Real Wedding ~ Emily Foley, WU Writer Extraordinaire

There's no doubt that here at Weddings Unveiled, we see a lot of weddings. However, it's not every day that we can share the wedding of one of our own. Emily Foley has been writing for Weddings Unveiled now for a couple of years and has interviewed many newlyweds for our real wedding features. We have always loved Emily's style and brilliant personality and when she recently married in Atlanta, GA, we couldn't wait to share her with you. She's given us a little bit of insight on some of her decisions. If you'd like to know more, leave a comment!Credits:Photography: Sing Photography. Reception Venue: Rhodes Hall. Florist: Vines & Roses. Cake: Joshua John Cakes.

Emily: I knew I wanted Joshua John (http://www.joshuajohncakes.com/) to create my wedding cake. His bold, energetic style is completely unique and exactly what I wanted. Plus, he’s inspired by fashion, making us two peas in a pod. People literally gasped when they saw the finished product. It also tasted like dessert (his M.O.) which meant that even though I don’t typically like cake, I thought it was delicious!

Emily: Purple and apple green have been my “signature colors” for a while, as evinced by my last three bedrooms. As soon as I started thinking about my wedding (read: before I was actually engaged), I knew those were the colors I would use. I chose a deep plum for an element of elegance alongside the cheerfulness of apple green. There was a point on my wedding day when my bridesmaids and I were taking pictures that I stepped back and looked at them, and my heart skipped a little as I realized that the colors were exactly what I’d pictured.

Emily: I used Vines & Roses florist in Dacula (way outside of Atlanta), where my best friend’s mother works. I don’t know a lot about types of flowers, but knew the colors and overall shape for the bouquets that I wanted. I also knew that I wanted a collar of black boa on mine, which was met with resistance by a lot of my advisors (the florist was nervous about the black element, and my mother was afraid the feathery texture would look gothic). I stood my ground and literally started jumping up and down and cheering when I saw the finished product. Perfection.

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Real Wedding ~ Sarah and Will

If Rachel Ashwell designed weddings, we have a feeling that Sarah and Will's Florida nuptials would be right up her alley. We love the vintage-feel romance of this event, sent to us by wonderful photographer, Agnes Lopez. Old-school traditional silver, sideboard heirloom-look linens, pearls (check out their cake!), abundant roses, fresh greens and a variety of soft pink shades combine for a look that could be described as cottage chic meets Victorian meets French country with a cool red American classic (the truck) thrown in for good measure.Credits: Photography: Agnes Lopez.

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THE HISTORY OF MEN'S FORMAL WEAR

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I've devoted so much time and energy to women's bridal fashion, it's time to address the grooms. Men's formal wear is as fascinating a subject as the men who set the trends. While women's design has always set fashion, men's dress set the standard. That's right. Your fiance's tie still dictates the formality of your wedding or lack thereof. Black or white tie determines just how formal an affair you're going to have. And though men's formal wear has been restricted to black, white and shades of gray for the better part of two hundred years, lately all that's changing. Like brides, grooms are breaking the traditional ticket to the once regulated arena of formal wear adding accents via pocket silks, tie, and even shoes. At present companies like Selix are even offering renditions of vintage zoot suits and other alternative dressing options for the groom.

From whence and where did that traditional tie and tails originate? And the tux? Did Lord So and So really back his butt up too far against the fireplace and burn up his tails hence giving birth to the tuxedo? Sorry folks, that one's a big myth. The tux was born out of the Victorian era's hunting jacket. Yes, once it was toned down in velvet from the classic tweed for indoor drinking and shooting billiards with the rest of the gents, it became known as the the smoking or lounge jacket. sourceLooking at the elegance of Fred Astaire all decked out in top hat white tie and tails, you'd never suspect the origins of his chic derived from eighteenth century hunt regalia. But look closely, doesn't his waistcoat look like something a gentleman from the early 1800s would ride to hunt? Think red and beige and you'll realize that's exactly where it evolved from. Cut at the waist and spanning the front, the tails fall only from the back. On today's versions, the overcoat is still typically black and can be single or double breasted. A white pique shirt and white vest are worn underneath with white bow tie. White gloves and a pocket silk or boutonnière really complete an appearance. And what about the top hat? Chances are your groom won't wear one like his great grandfather, had he gone in for a formal to-do back in 1931. Once standard for evening and formal wear, top hats were actually early precursors to the crash helmet, again created by the English riding gentry. Today we see remnants of the top hat in traditional riding costume. Both men and women sport scaled down versions, lower in the crown of course.

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H.R.H. The Duke of Windsor

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The Duke of Windsor--aka Edward VIII who abdicated the throne--traded his birthright eventually becoming the foremost leader of men's fashion during the 20th century. As Prince of Wales in the 1920s-30s, he broke the fashion norms of the day, freeing men from the 'starched' look of earlier generations. Diana Vreeland, former editor of Vogue, when asked about the Duke of Windsor: ''Did he have style?'' came up with this answer: ''The Duke of Windsor had style in every buckle on his kilt, every check of his country suits.''

The Duke's personal wardrobe which spanned 60 years was auctioned off ten years ago at Southby's. He never lost his svelte physique thus was a something of a pack rat never throwing anything out.

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Above: The Duke's dark grey worsted 3-piece morning suit. Jacket and DB waistcoat by Scholte of London, marked 9.6.31 Trousers by Forster & Son marked 10.6.31Below: A midnight blue worsted formal evening dress suit, 1937. Jacket by Scholte of London, trousers by Forster & Son. The Duke preferred his evening suits cut from midnight navy wool instead of black. The details in a navy suit, he reasoned, registered more crisply in strobe-light photographssource

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The morning coat and trousers worn to the Duke's wedding, with a different waistcoat. Jacket by Scholte is a herringbone cashmere weave and is marked H.M. The King, 25.1.36. Waistcoat matches the jacket and marked same. The morning trousers are by Forster & Son and marked 9.6.32

sourceOnce the dinner jacket (tux) replaced tails H.R.H went on to introduce comfortable fabrics like silks, cashmeres and mohair. Turned down collars replaced the wing. By the mid-1930s not just the Duke but all men had the option of dressing for comfort. Thus, in an era of the visual, films cranked out by the hundreds became moving fashion catalogs. Variations on the tux evolved. Who can forget Humphrey Bogart as night club owner, Rick in Casablanca? Worn like a uniform, he's synonymous with that white dinner jacket and rarely seen in the movie wearing much else (except a trench coat in the final scenes on a fog swept runway). By the 1950s the white dinner jacket was a summer classic for evening wear and weddings.

sourceThere were some interesting variations on the tux and tails that never made it into classic or accepted 20th century formal wear but are stamped into fashion history nonetheless. If The Duke of Windsor set traditional men's fashion in the 20th century, I like to imagine Cab Calloway the way for radical chic. No, you couldn't have worn this all white tie and tails to a serious event like a night at the opera or diplomatic reception. The Cotton Club? Yes. Especially if you were a performer and Cab performed like no one else. Fast forward seventy years and it isn't uncommon for a groom to sport the above ensemble for full formal regalia. Thanks Cab . . . .

Below are some favorites from Selix . First image is Oscar de la Renta's 2009 rendition of Cab's original white. The classic white dinner jacket is still a favorite and the unusual zoot suit is also making a comeback.

RENTING FORMAL WEARIt’s never been easier. Just point and click. Since most formal wear rentals are connected to nationwide chains, this means your groom can go online to register and shop for the look you want right on your computer. He enters his choice, clicks the store nearest you and they have all his information in their system within seconds. Then whenever he's ready, he goes in and gets measured. Ideally he should do this 3-5 months before the wedding. A couple days before the wedding is when the suit gets picked up. This is when minor alterations are taken if any are needed like pant legs taken up or jacket hem adjusted. Groomsmen follow the same procedure. But suppose his guys are scattered as far and wide as San Diego and Atlantic City? Not a problem. Since he's probably dealing with a nationwide chain, they can go to the nearest store and have their measurements taken. No store nearby? Again, not a problem. They get themselves professionally measured and fax or email those measurements into the store. A word here about taking measurements. Have your guy's groomsman find a professional tailor or pay a finer men’s store to do it. Having a friend or relative do it is not okay. Precision and experience is the key to fitting men’s wear.

Below are a few formal wear resources to get you and your groom started. www.afterhours.com

www.selix.com

www.aftersix.com

www.menswearhouse.com

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SHORT, CHIC, AND OH SO VINTAGE ON THE DETAILS

Check out this great over blouse and skirt by Siri. Most akin to 1950s detail here is the sheer blouse over a strapless bodice. We're seeing more of this design reinvented lately. It was once the hot look in bridal circa the early 50s. Brides wanted it both ways: to be demure and a hint of sexy at the same time . . .

The pouf or cage veil has many variations these days. This one is a hint net with chenille dots.

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Good Reads ~ The Green Bride Guide: How to Create an Earth-Friendly Wedding on Any Budget

Here comes the bride, all dressed in.... green?This past week, we celebrated Earth Day on April 22nd, but really, shouldn't every day be Earth Day? Even your wedding day, you ask? The answer is absolutely yes! Especially your wedding day! You already recycle, turn off the lights when you're not in the room, conserve water, buy local organic produce and bike to work in effort to do your part for the greater good, so why would your wedding day be any different? Many socially responsible brides are searching for ways to make their wedding environmentally friendly without sacrificing style. Eco-friendly brides want to leave a lasting impression on their guests, not the Earth.Vassar graduate and environmentalist, Kate L. Harrison, has lots of experience with weddings, having planned her very own eco-friendly nuptials in 2007. Take advantage of her advice, tips and resources in her book, The Green Bride Guide: How to Create an Earth-Friendly Wedding on Any Budget .Kate graduated with an independent major in Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Development and then moved to Berkeley, California, where she worked in environmental education and outreach. She’s currently completing a joint degree in Environmental Policy and law at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and Pace Law School. Her book offers the most comprehensive green wedding resource on the market, with hundreds of sustainable choices in one handy reference. Emphasizing elegance and individual taste, it covers all aspects of the big day and beyond, including:· Eco-Engagements· Here Comes the Eco-Chic Bride: Green Gowns, Shoes, and Veils· Giving and Receiving Green: Thank-You Gifts and Registry· Planning an Eco-Fabulous HoneymoonThat's not all -- there's so much more! Kate provides low, medium, and high-end choices in every category, and proves that you don’t have to break the bank to have a gorgeous green event! Whether you want to include a few green elements in your décor or have a completely carbon-neutral wedding with local organic food and a peace silk dress, you’ll find the all the resources you need in The Green Bride Guide to pull it off with panache.

The Green Bride Guide: How to Create an Earth-Friendly Wedding on Any Budget. $14.99. Click here to purchase at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, ABE Books, or Sourcebooks.

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BALLET INSPIRED

sourceJust how much does the world of ballet influence bridal? A lot. Traditional ballet costume evolved in the era of the Johann Strass', a young Queen Victoria, and Giselle, an 1840s ballet by Aldophe Adam. Think classic corps de ballet in long white tulle and floral wreath. The 'Willis'--brides to be who had the bad luck to die on the eve of their wedding--wore this exact ensemble in Giselle. Also reflecting the silhouette of the ballet costume as we know it, Queen Victoria clinched the look when she married Prince Albert wearing yards of white lace and dressing her flock of attendants accordingly.

Stephanie James CoutureThe most classic ballet-inspired silhouette is a ball gown, sometimes an A-line. Typically a tiny waist sits a top a full gathered skirt.RS Couture The ball gown is an hourglass and remains the most dramatic of all bridal The ball gown is an hourglass and remains the most dramatic of all bridal silhouettes. It is as romantic a confection as those seen in the corps de ballet, flowing in swirls of white tulle. The skirt and its under structure are both based on volume. Thus, sweeping skirts equal sweeping entrances especially awesome on brides who know how to work their strut.Regardless of its formality, a ball gown seems to have flex when it comes to showing up anywhere and looking beautiful. While they go great in all the splendor of a full-blown cathedral ceremony, imagine an outdoor garden wedding where nature, big and diverse as a thousand cathedrals can be the perfect sanctuary.Tall, slim brides carry this silhouette off best. Also if you’re medium to tall and pear shaped, you’ll benefit from the uber-volume in the skirts that camouflage your every imperfection from the waist down. Petite brides who want some gown drama might be better off going with the more modified A-line since the mass of a ball gown skirt will swallow you up.Variations of the Ball GownBouffant or Hourglass-Fitted bodice with cinched natural or dropped waist atop gathered or pleated full skirt.Bubble-Bouffant shaped skirt swelling out of a cinched natural or dropped waist. Skirt curves in a balloon like shape at the hemline.Petal-Very structured over skirt. Imagine a fuchsia. A cinched natural or dropped waist sitting atop a full skirt with curving under structure that slits open in the front. Sometimes shows a bit.

RS Couture

An A-line cut is a more modified form of hourglass, bringing with it refinement and understatement. Fitted through the bodice, the A-line can have a slight to moderate flair in the skirt. Dubbed by fashionistas as “The Deb Dress” it’s been one of the most popular silhouettes for the reason it flatters just about every figure type.

La SposaHead chic that instantly comes to mind for ballet-inspired bridal is either the floral wreath or modified cloche cap of white feathers emulating The Swan Queen in Swan Lake. A tiara or single floral(s) attached to a bun is also considered a classic ballet touch. source

La Sposa

Olga D’Gallegos

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